The protests initially targeted economic problems, but quickly turned against the Islamic regime as a whole. Video footage on social media showed hundreds marching through the holy city of Qom on Friday evening, with people chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Free political prisoners”. She posted images from Twitter accounts based in the United States and Saudi Arabia, voicing support for the Mashhad protests. Aware that economic problems can quickly spiral into political chaos, officials from across the political spectrum have called for greater efforts to tackle poverty and the 12 percent unemployment rate. “Solving people’s economic problems is the chief priority in the country,” tweeted Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline cleric defeated by Rouhani in May’s presidential election.

Source: The Guardian December 30, 2017 11:26 UTC